Lyrics written to inspire audience to understand, accept those who differ

It’s Sunday, and I am going out to lunch with family. Undertones of the radio are playing behind conversations. I listen and hear the intro piano melody from “Same Love” by Macklemore come through the speakers.

From the front passenger seat, I turn the volume knob up a few notches and mention that I like the song.

“You like that song?” floats from the backseat.

“Yes, I do.” I reply.

“Why? It’s about gay people…”

I feel my blood pressure rising rapidly—but I keep my voice down.

“No,” I answer. “It’s about people like you; people who are accepted for who they are and how they look without question. Listen to the words.”

“When I was in 3rd grade I thought that I was gay, cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight. I told my mom, tears rushing down my face, she’s like, “Ben, you’ve loved girls since before pre-k.” Trippin, yeah, I guess she had a point, didn’t she? A bunch of stereotypes all in my head, I remember doing the math like “Yeah, I’m good at little league.” A pre-conceived idea of what it all meant, for those who like the same sex had the characteristics.”

“Just because a guy can play the flute or a girl likes baseball instead of ballet doesn’t make him/her gay. They are a person, and each one of us is different.”

How on earth is everyone supposed to like the same things just based on what sex we are? And what difference does it make if we aren’t attracted to the opposite sex?

These are human lives and, as Americans, we’ve fought for our rights just to make this country.

Who are we to deny someone of love when our country is founded on this principle, “among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Honestly, it seems that some people are jealous of others’ happiness.

Our culture has become desensitized to the things we say, our ‘slang’ or definitions of specific words that can destroy those around us without our realization.

We are too inconsiderate to have any empathy towards another person.

“’Man, that’s gay’ gets dropped on the daily…call each other faggots…”

Our generation has hidden in the shadows for too long.

I challenge you to get to know someone who is different, befriend them, and understand their point of view instead of judging and fearing the things you can’t immediately appreciate.

America has been an alieNATION because people often feel like they need to fix those who are different instead of accepting who they are.

Consider how difficult it would be to accept yourself, much less being accepted by others, how alone and scared that young man or woman felt at the homecoming dance in high school, or prom… “Kids are walking around the hallway, plagued by pain in their heart. A world so hateful someone would rather die than be who they are.”

No, this song isn’t about gay people.

This song is telling this nation that no matter what color your skin is, what sex you are or whom you love, we are all the equal and love all the same.